Tate’s mission, laid down by the 1992 Museums and Galleries Act, is to promote public understanding and enjoyment of British, modern and contemporary art. Its responsibilities are to safeguard and enhance its assets, which include the collections, expertise in the collections and subject area, and the buildings. Tate seeks to spread the benefits of those assets by maximising access and developing value for visitors, satisfying stakeholders and by effective organisation and sound financial management. Tate Trustees are not remunerated. The appointment process has followed the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The application procedure has been conducted in full compliance with the Nolan recommendations which require candidates for appointment publicly to declare any political activity in the United Kingdom in the past five years.All public appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for defined political activity in the last five years to be made public. Roland Rudd has declared that he has made recordable donations to Tessa Jowell, and made donations and held office in relation to Britain Stronger in Europe. Details can be obtained from the Electoral Commission website.